American Research Group (ARG), a New Hampshire polling firm, released an Iowa poll today that suggests Newt Gingrich faces a much closer race in Iowa than some have expected, in large part because Gov. Rick Perry, R-Texas, has gained strength following major television ad buys.
ARG, after polling 600 likely Republican caucus-goers over the weekend, reports that Gingrich has fallen to 22 percent support in Iowa, while Mitt Romney and Ron Paul are tied with 17 percent, and Perry has 13 percent support among respondents.
Gingrich has lost the most support, and Perry gained the most support, since ARG’s November poll, which showed Gingrich surging to 27 percent support in Iowa, while Perry had a mere 5 percent. Romney had 20 percent support in the previous poll, which means he has dropped 3 points in Iowa over the last month.
Top-line results from the December poll below. Further detail available here.
| Iowa | |
| Likely Republican Caucus Goers |
Dec 8-11 2011 |
| Bachmann | 7% |
| Gingrich | 22% |
| Huntsman | 5% |
| Johnson | – |
| Paul | 17% |
| Perry | 13% |
| Roemer | – |
| Romney | 17% |
| Santorum | 7% |
| Other | 1% |
| Undecided | 12% |
